Wipe and stretch forming machine with rise and fall of stretch head controlled by rise and fall of wipe shoe



April 18, 1967 WIPE AND STRETCH FORMING MACHINE WITH RISE AND FALL OFSTRETCH HEAD CONTROLLED BY RISE AND FALL OF WIPE SHOE Filed Dec. 7, 1964s. M. DOLNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 WIPE AND STRETCH FORMING MACHINE WITH RISEAND FALL OF STRETCH HEAD CONTROLLED BY RISE AND FALL OF WIPE SHOE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 7, 1964 v n R I M W N R @Q 5 m k MN \& v T 0{MN m A Q N\ hw/ mu mm 7 vh W \M m 6 Mn mm M Rh m N 1 mm M N @N W \N\\III.

A nl 18, 1967 s. M. DOLNEY 3,314,258

WIPE AND STRETCH FORMING MACHINE WITH RISE AND FALL OF STRETCH HEADCONTROLLED BY RISE AND FALL OF WIPE SHOE Filed Dec. '7, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 5 f ATTORN EY- April 18, 1967 s. M. DOLNEY WIPE AND STRETCHFORMING MACHINE WITH RISE AND FALL OF STRETCH HEAD CONTROLLED BY RISEAND FALL OF WIPE SHOE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

Apnl 18, 1967 s. M. DGLNEY WIPE AND STRETCH FORMING MACHINE WITH RISEAND FALL OF STRETCH HEAD CONTROLLED BY RISE AND FALL OF WIPE SHOE 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 7, 1964 I.NVENTOR I@%/ A AT TORNE Y.

United States Patent ()fiice 3,314,258 WIPE AND STRETCH FORMING MACHINEWITH RISE AND FALL F STRETCH HEAD CON- TROLLED BY RISE AND FALL OF WIPESHOE Stanley M. Dolney, Parma, Ohio, assignor to The Cyril Bath Company,Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 7, 1964, Ser. No.416,306 Claims. (Cl. 72-21) This invention relates to an improvement incombined stretch forming and wipe forming machines of the type wherein alength of metal stock, while held under tension above its elastic limit,is wrapped onto the side face of the die while concurrently pressedagainst the side face by means of a wipe shoe.

Many operations of this character require a die having a forming facewith a contour which rises and falls in a direction axially of the dieprogressively along the peripheral length of the face. Common types ofdies of this character are those having irregular spiral and sinusoidalforming faces. With dies of this character, the wipe shoe, Whilepressing the metal against the die face, causes the metal to conform incross section to the cross section of the face. Thereby the wipe shoe iscaused by the die to move axially of the die during its relativemovement peripherally of the die.

In accordance with the present invention, more desirable results can beobtained by making the stretch head a slave to the wipe shoe, insofar asmovement axially of the die is concerned, to an extent that the headrises and falls in proportional relations to the rise and fall of thewipe shoe, respectively. This proportional relation may be direct, withthe rise and fall of the head and shoe being equal. The stretch head canbe maintained at substantially the level of the wipe shoe, or with apredetermined lead or lag relative to the axial movement of the wipeshoe.

The invention is shown for purposes of illustration as incorporated in acombined stretch and wipe forming machine of the type generallydescribed in the Dolney and Hein United States Letters Patent No.2,810,421, issued Oct. 22,1957, and employing a stretch head carriage ofthe type disclosed in the Cyril 1. Bath United States Letters Patent No.3,052,119, issued Sept. 4, 1962, its use for other stretch formingmachines being apparent from the illustrative example.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description wherein reference is madeto the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a stretch forming machine embodying theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the machine illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the stretch head asviewed from line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the machine showingthe wipe forming shoe as viewed from the line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the transducersemployed for control in the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the control for the stretchforming assembly;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the control for the traversing ofthe wipe forming assembly.

The stretch and wipe forming machine comprises a horizontal frame 1 onwhich is mounted an upright post ,i4,258 Patented Apr. 18, 1957 2 onwhich a turntable 3 is mounted for rotation about an upright axis. Aside face die 4, which in the form illustrated has a spiral forming face4a of non-planar cross section, is mounted on the turntable 3 forrotation therewith. The turntable is driven by suitable power means,such as electric motors 5 operating through suitable speed reducers 6having driving gears 7 in mesh with a driving ring gear 8 fixedlysecured to the underside of the table and coaxial therewith.

A suitable clamp 9 is carried by the table, preferably on the die 4 forclamping one end of a length of stock S to be stretched and wiped aboutthe side face 4a.

For tensioning the stock above its elastic limit, a carriage 10 isantifrictionally supported on the frame 1 by suitable rollers 11. Thecarriage 10 is connected by a connector 12 to a piston and cylinderassemblage 13. In the form illustrated, the assemblage comprises acylinder 14 connected to the connector 12, and a suitable double rodpiston 15 mounted in the cylinder with its rod extending beyond theopposite ends of the cylinder. The ends of the rod 16 are secured to theframe 1. Pressure fluid is supplied to the cylinder at opposite sides ofthe piston 15, selectively, through suitable bores in the piston rod 16.The pressure fluid is supplied by a suitable pump 17, driven by a motor18, through a suitable solenoid operated reversing and stop valve 19.

A stretch forming arm 20 is carried on the carriage and is mounted forswiveling about the axis of a post 21. At its outer end the arm 20carries a support 22 for a stretch forming gripping head.

In accordance with the present invention, an adapter 23 is mounted forvertical movement in a suitable dovetail guideway 24 on the outer faceof the sup-port 22. Mounted on the adapter 23 is a stretch forming head25 having the conventional power operated gripping jaws therein forgripping an end of the stock to be stretched.

The adapter 23 is raised and lowered by means of a reversible piston andcylinder assemblage 26 comprising a cylinder 27 with a piston 28reciprocable therein. The piston has a rod 29 connected to the adapter23. Other power means may be used, if desired, to raise and lower theadapter 23 and thereby the stretch head 25.

Mounted on a side extension 30 of the frame 1, for movement therealonggenerally parallel to the path of the carriage 10 so as to passgenerally tangent to the table 3 is a wipe shoe carriage 31. Thecarriage 31 is connected to the reversible piston and cylinderassemblage 32 which comprises a cylinder 33 having a piston 34 therein.The piston has a double rod 35 which extends from the piston beyond theopposite ends of the cylinders 33. The outer ends of the rod 35 areconnected fixedly to the frame 30. Reciprocation of the carriage 31 onthe frame 30 in a path generally tangent to the table is effected bymeans of hydraulic pressure supplied to the assemblage 32 by a pump 36driven by a motor 37. The output side of the pump is connected to asolenoid operated stop and reversing valve 38 having its reversibleoutlet 39 connected to the opposite ends of the piston rod 35,respectively. The rod 35 has internal ducts opening into the cylinder 33adjacent the opposite sides of the piston 34, respectively. Thus thecarriage 36 can be reciprocated along the side face of the dieindependently of the operation and position of the stretch forming head.

Mounted on the carriage 31 is a wipe shoe applying assemblage comprisinga slide 40 slidable on the carriage 31 in a direction generallytransversely of the path of reciprocation of the carriage toward andaway from the die 4. Pivotally mounted on the slide 40 on an uprightpivot 41 is a wipe shoe carrier 42.

A pair of piston and cylinder assemblages 43 including cylinders 44 andpistons 45 with rods 46 are provided. The cylinders are connected to thecarriage 31 by pivots 47 for swinging about upright axes. The rods .6are pivotally connected to a suitable cross arm 48 rigid with the wipeshoe carriage 42. These piston and cylinder assemblages can be operatedconcurrently or independently. \Vhen operated concurrently they urge thecarrier 42 to ward the side face of the die. They are connected inparallel, so that the carrier can rock about its pivot 41 to permit theshoe thereon to adjust itself into tangential relation to the die face.If operated individually, they can cause rocking of the shoe carriagepivot 41. The outer end of the carrier 42 has a pedestal 50 on which ismounted a support 51 for a wipe shoe. The pedestal t and support 51 areconnected by vertical dovetail guides 52 so that the support can movevertically. Mounted on the support 51 is a wipe shoe 54, which, asshown, has a contoured face of cross section complementary to the crosssection of the forming face 4:2. It is apparent that when the shoe isurged against the stock with yielding pressure while the die isrotating, the shoe will be interlocked with the forming face 4:: andthereby caused to rise and fall as dictated by the forming face of thedie.

As mentioned, the stretch forming assemblage is controlled in itsmovement axially of the die, or its rise and fall, by the movement, orrise and fall, of the wipe shoe axially of the die.

For this purpose suitable sensing means, indicated at 55, are connectedto the wipe shoe 54 for sensing the vertical position thereof. In theform illustrated, this means comprises a linear potentiometer 56, havingits coils 57 connected fixedly to the pedestal and having a solenoidcore or plunger 58 connected by a rod 59 to the shoe support 51. Thusthe shoe 54 rises and falls, and a signal is developed by thepotentiometer 56. As best illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 7, acorresponding sensing device, such as the potentiometer 60 is provided.The potentiometer 60 has a coil 61 connected in fixed relation to thesupport 22. The potentiometer 60 has a plunger 62 with a rod 63connected to the adapter 23.

As best illustrated in FIG. 7, the potentiometers are preferablyconnected together in a null circuit. Thus, as illustrated, thepotentiometer coils are connected in parallel with each other and theparallel circuit is connected to the terminals of an input power supply.The output signal terminals 67 and 68, respectively, are connected tothe terminals of an amplifier and power supply 69. If desired,adjustable resistors 70 and 71 may be connected between the coils 57 and61 and their connections to the amplifier 69. The potentiometer isoperated, as mentioned, in accordance with the movements of the wipeshoe 54. Since it is in null circuit with the potentiometer 60, anychange in the relative vertical positions of the stretch head and wipeshoe produces a signal. The output of the amplifying and power supplyunit 69 is connected to, and controls, a reversible torque motor 72which operates a stop and reversing servo valve 73. The valve 73 has apair of reversible ports for supplying pressure fluid to the reversiblepiston and cylinder assemblage 26 through pipe lines 74 and 75,respectively. The torque motor is driven in reverse direction inresponse to the power output from power supply 69. When the wipe shoechanges the setting of the potentiometer 55, the null circuit becomesunbalanced and the torque motor is rendered operative to move the servovalve 73 so as to admit pressure fluid to the proper end of the pistonand cylinder assemblage 26, for raising or lowering the stretching head24 in accordance with the rise or fall of the wipe shoe. The raising andlowering of the head 24, however, operates the potentiometer 60, andcontinues operating until the null circuit is restored.

It may be desired in some cases to have a lead or a lag in the rise andfall of the head and shoe. For this purpose, the adjustable resistors70' and 71 are provided to provide a different balance in the circuit,if desired.

Pressure fluid is supplied to the servo valve 73 by means of a pump 75driven by a motor 76.

It is apparent that, during the operation of the machine, the die 4 isrotated by the table 3 and tension is applied to the stock S to tensionthe stock above the elastic limit as it is wrapped on the side face ofthe die. During this operation, the wipe shoe 54 is pressed against thestock, forcing it to conform in cross section to the cross section ofthe side face of the die. It is thus constrained to rise and fall in adirection axially of the die in accordance with the rise and fall of theforming face of the die axially of the die. As it rises and falls, thisis immediately reflected by its potentiometer 55. Thereupon the nullcircuit becomes unbalanced and operative to operate the torque motor 72and thereby the servo valve 73 to operate, in turn, the assemblage 26for moving the stretch head in a direction to' restore the balance ofthe null circuit. The restoration is effected by moving the head in thedirection in which the wipe shoe has been moved. With this arrangementthe stretch head can be kept at the same elevation as the wipe shoe atall times, or at such different relative elevations as may be desired,and thus the wipe shoe and head may rise and fall in unison, or inpredetermined relations to each other, as selected by the adjustableresistors 70 and 71.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1. In a metal stretch andwipe forming machine, a table adapted to support a side face die,

a power operated stretch head operable to grip one end of a length ofstock and apply tension thereto,

means supporting the head and table for rotation relative to each otherabout a predetermined upright axis, for movement relatively toward andaway from each other in planes normal to said axis, and for movementtoward and away from the plane of the table, for Wrapping the stockabout the die face,

power means for moving the stretch head toward and away from the planeof the table,

a power operated wipe shoe operable to press the metal yieldably againstthe side face of the die while the metal is being wrapped on the sideface,

means supporting the shoe and table for rotation relative to each otherabout said axis, for movement relatively toward and away from each otherin said planes, and for movement toward and away from the plane of thetable,

means for effecting the relative rotation of the head and table relativeto the rotation of the shoe and table,

control means for said power means and responsive to movements of thewipe shoe toward and away from the plane of the table for controllingthe operation of said power means so as to cause movements of the headtoward and away from the plane of the table in a predetermined relationto movements of the wipe shoe toward and away from the plane of thetable, respectively.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the con trol means isoperative to maintain the movements of the head toward and away from theplane of the table equal in distance to, and concurrent with, and in thesame direction as, movements of the shoe toward and away from the planeof the table.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control means comprisesa signal producing device including sensing means driven in relation tomovement of the shoe as the shoe moves in paths toward and away from theplane of the table, and operative, when the sensing means are so driven,to produce signals corresponding to the position of the shoe along saidpaths, and motor means responsive to said signals to control theoperation of said power means.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the control means includesa signal producing device driven in fixed relation to the movement ofthe head toward and away from said plane of the table, pOWer input meansare provided which are operable to control the direction and 5 6distance of operation of said power means, and means nected to saidassemblage for controlling the operaare provided which are responsive todifferentials in said tion of the assemblage and connected to saidoutput signals of said respective devices for controlling the oppowercircuit for operation in response to said differeration of the powerinput means. entials in signals.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said 5 power meanscomprising a reversible piston and cylinder References Cited y theExaminer fzl z 1 fi t t f t UNITED STATES PATENTS sai con ro meanscomprising a rs po en iome er driven by the wipe shoe, a secondpotentiometer 2713376 7/1955- Bath 72 298 driven by the stretch head asignal circuit includ- 2734548 2/1956 Fredencks 72-151 10 2,743,7565/1956 Fre-dericks 72-451 ing an electrical amplifier, responsive to thedifferentials in signals produced by the potentiometers and CHARLES W.LANHAM, Primary Examiner. having an output power circuit, a solenoidoperated reversible control valve adapted R NALD D. GREFE, AssistantExaminer.

for connection to a source of fluid pressure and con- 15

1. IN A METAL STRETCH AND WIPE FORMING MACHINE, A TABLE ADAPTED TOSUPPORT A SIDE FACE DIE, A POWER OPERATED STRETCH HEAD OPERABLE TO GRIPONE END OF A LENGTH OF STOCK AND APPLY TENSION THERETO, MEANS SUPPORTINGTHE HEAD AND TABLE FOR ROTATION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER ABOUT APREDETERMINED UPRIGHT AXIS, FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVELY TOWARD AND AWAY FROMEACH OTHER IN PLANES NORMAL TO SAID AXIS, AND FOR MOVEMENT TOWARD ANDAWAY FROM THE PLANE OF THE TABLE. FOR WRAPPING THE STOCK ABOUT THE DIEFACE. POWER MEANS FOR MOVING THE STRETCH HEAD TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THEPLANE OF THE TABLE, A POWER OPERATED WIPE SHOE OPERABLE TO PRESS THEMETAL YIELDABLY AGAINST THE SIDE FACE OF THE DIE WHILE THE METAL ISBEING WRAPPED ON THE SIDE FACE, MEANS SUPPORTING THE SHOE AND TABLE FORROTATION RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER ABOUT SAID AXIS, FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVELYTOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER IN SAID PLANES, AND FOR MOVEMENT TOWARDAND AWAY FROM THE PLANE OF THE TABLE. MEANS FOR EFFECTING THE RELATIVEROTATION OF THE HEAD AND TABLE RELATIVE TO THE ROTATION OF THE SHOE ANDTABLE, CONTROL MEANS FOR SAID POWER MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO MOVEMENTS OFTHE WIPE SHOE TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE PLANE OF THE TABLE FORCONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF SAID POWER MEANS SO AS TO CAUSE MOVEMENTSOF THE HEAD TOWARD AND AWAY FROM THE PLANE OF THE TABLE IN APREDETERMINED RELATION TO MOVEMENTS OF THE WIPE SHOE TOWARD AND AWAYFROM THE PLANE OF THE TABLE, RESPECTIVELY.